Director Enterprise Design, Wellington
Date: 28 Jan 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
About us | Mō mātou
The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.
Join MSD’s flagship transformation programme, MSD – services for the future, and help shape how we deliver services to New Zealanders for the next 30 years.
MSD – services for the future is about MSD’s future role and how we can make a bigger and better difference for New Zealanders. It will help us achieve the shifts we want to make to achieve our strategic goal, Te Pae Tawhiti.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
• Transformation Group
• Permanent role
• Based at National Office Wellington
You’ll be joining a team at the heart of MSD’s transformation, working collaboratively to make a positive contribution to strategy development, organisational decision making, and performance monitoring.
The team champions MSD’s purpose and values, building strong relationships and actively contributing to initiatives that support enterprise-wide priorities and long-term impact.
As Director, Enterprise Design, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight across Enterprise Design, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and priorities. You’ll shape direction, drive performance, and foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
This role leads coordinated enterprise-wide design activities, guiding stakeholders through current state mapping, service blueprinting, and other design activities required to define transition states and the overarching transition approach for MSD – services for the future.
You’ll influence decision-making at the highest levels, build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and ensure the delivery of high-impact outcomes. This role also plays a key part in organisational governance, risk management, and capability development, contributing to the long-term sustainability and success of MSD.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga
• Demonstrated experience in enterprise-level service design in a complex, dynamic environment
• Extensive experience in leading and providing strategic guidance on service and customer design activity
• Proven future thinker with the ability to influence leadership thinking and establish credibility
• Ability to understand complex service and technology strategies and guide design activity to strategic direction
• Ability to remove constraints, operate effectively with ambiguity, and help people develop and perform at their best
• Ability to build teams, partnerships, and collaborative environments, recognising the value of diverse perspectives and cultures
What’s in it for you | Nōu te rourou
• Opportunity to be part of a once-in-a-generation transformation programme
• Make a lasting impact on the lives of over a million New Zealanders
• Work in a supportive, inclusive environment that celebrates diversity
• Professional growth through coaching, mentoring, and MSD’s development frameworks
• Be at the forefront of shaping the future of MSD and social services in New Zealand
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $161,811.00 - $214,131.00
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz
Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Closing date: 11 February 2026
Joining us | Ko te hono mai
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.
